Paul LePage on Crime

Victim's Compensation Fund to address domestic violence

Last session, we put politics aside and worked together to address domestic violence in Maine. We amended Maine's bail code, ensuring that judges determine the bail for domestic violence offenses. We required abusers to pay into the Victim's Compensation
Fund. This provides financial resources to the victims and families of domestic abuse.

A number of other bills dealing with stalking and risk assessment were passed, and executive orders signed. We sponsored a Governor's Bill supporting our
Batterers' Intervention Programs.

Ending domestic violence requires abusers to change--batterers' intervention is an important step in that direction. As a youth, domestic violence hit close to home for me. I was not a spouse, I was a child.
It is important that we broaden the discussion about these heinous crimes. Domestic violence is a crime that affects families. Family violence is domestic violence, and we need to focus on protecting all women and children.